Priscilla (Briggs) Leary

OGUNQUIT — Priscilla (Briggs) Leary, 88, of Ogunquit, and formerly of Essex Junction, Vermont, died peacefully Sunday, May 4, 2014, at Wingate Health Center, Haverhill, Massachusetts, after suffering for several years from Parkinson's dementia.

Comment

seacoastonline.com

Writer

Posted Jun. 5, 2014 at 2:00 AM

Posted Jun. 5, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

OGUNQUIT — Priscilla (Briggs) Leary, 88, of Ogunquit, and formerly of Essex Junction, Vermont, died peacefully Sunday, May 4, 2014, at Wingate Health Center, Haverhill, Massachusetts, after suffering for several years from Parkinson's dementia.

Priscilla was a lover of words, music, literature, learning and gardening. She played a mean game of bridge and was a big fan of the Red Sox and Patriots. Her pie crusts were incomparable. Priscilla graduated from Simmons College, Boston, and received her M.A. in English from St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont. She taught English at Winooski High School, in Winooski, Vermont, for more than 20 years. While living in Ogunquit, she and her husband worked diligently to bring the AIDS Quilt to town for display.

She was the beloved wife of John M. Leary, who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her son, John Austin Leary; brothers, Austin and Richard Briggs; and her parents, Stanley and Evelyn Briggs.

She is survived by her children, Kristin Leary, of Haverhill, and Karen Wheatley, and her husband, Patrick, of Ramsey, Minnesota; grandson, Matthew Wheatley, his wife, Tiffany, and their sons, Ethan and Liam, also of Ramsey; granddaughter, Kristen Wheatley Tullar, her husband, Jeff, and their daughters, Morgan and Samantha, granddaughter, Jan Wheatley, and her fiancé, Nathaniel Smyre; sister, Marjorie Strobino; brother, Philip Briggs, and wife, Susan; sister-in-law, Florence Leary, and brother-in-law, Paul E. Leary; stepson, Paul M. Leary; and several wonderful nieces and nephews.

A service in celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at North Parish, 190 Academy Road, North Andover, Massachusetts, with a reception following. Contributions can be made in Priscilla's name to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, 321 Port Road, Wells, ME 04090.